Published by jon at September 24, 2006
in Notes.
Hugo Chavez is an interesting individual, a large anti-Bush proponent, pushing hard to be on the UN Security Council (which seems quite likely), and famous for pushing Bolivarianism. Also, since his speech last week at the UN where he pushed Noam Chomsky’s “Hegemony or Survival,” this book is now #1 on Amazon’s Best Seller list.
While I see much benefit from his stances, I support his loud criticism of Bush and the administration.
What do others think of this man, this movement? Is it worth the time, or just more propaganda?
Published by jon at September 24, 2006
Uncategorizedin .
I’ve been trying to listen to all the top 100 shoutcast streams intently. I’m really into Power 106 in Jamaica because they have much talk radio and its interesting to hear political talks and speeches rather than the common jamaican export of dancehall, ragga, and rastafarianism. 
Published by jon at September 23, 2006
in Notes.
By the way, Second Life IS A GAME. Because Second Lifers (users and employees) are so quick to correct one that says its a game to say its not a game makes it even more of a game in real life, second life, and the after life!
Nonetheless, Second Life needs a task management system like World of Warcraft to give people goals and rewards and to really get the community into the game. The rewards should be either non-material (fame, reputation, etc) or material (money, objects, etc). Of course, by material, I’m referring to virtual materials.
Also, they need to make their service an open service and their client, an open source client. Do it and you will see your community scale at an enormouse rate.
To Second Life developers and employees, the value you provide is in your service and not in the software you provide!
Published by jon at September 22, 2006
Uncategorizedin .
I’m trying to figure out politics, how to leverage my skills etc, to oust Bush (personally) and globally push for more participation and diverse viewpoints and discussion in this country.
Where do I start? Will it help to volunteer for the Democrats?
What I really want to do is to setup a conference of people in Open Source (who I know tow their own and make major differences) to discuss these issues, start some political open source projects, and to plow ahead on either fixing this government or making a new one.
Yes. I’m serious.
Published by jon at September 22, 2006
in Notes.
I would go a step further than Rudd-o’s statement that Open Source’s weakness is lack of marketing and PR by stating that this is a problem for the superset of Free Culture.
I have spent much time trying to hone these skills through working on Inkscape, Open Clip Art Library and now at Creative Commons I totally agree with Rudd-o and feel that once Free Culture (including Free Content, Open Content, Free Software and Open Source Software) figure this out, or rather more people like myself and Rudd-o promote this heavier and provide solutions, Free Culture will master marketing and PR.
We already have proof that this type of “Spread” project like Spread Firefox works majorly well…so how do we duplicate this?
This reminds me that I need to put the big push back on for Spread FreeCulture (which will hopefully lead this charge).
Also, I would like to address how I create projects like Spread Free Culture. I have been explaining this a lot lately. Here is my strategy:
- First do massive research on what already exists and put this on a wiki (unless a wiki page on this exists somewhere else).
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Then, if a project already exists which does what you want, then merge your efforts in with this (merging is a HIGH PRIORITY TO CONSOLIDATE RESOURCES)
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Only if a project does not exist, then start fleshing out your project online on a wiki and make a few public announcements about this developing project to get other ideas.
- After this, then begin to implement what you and others have planned on that wiki.
Published by jon at September 20, 2006
in Notes.
So, DC blogged about ISEA/01 after my call last night to find out if there will be any resolution of the questions/problematics identified last night. I must admit that I feel uneasy about speaking my mind all the time when my employment is tied to an event, and this goes for the CC Salon as well:
Thus, I will give my base assessment of ISEA/01 here right now in a list:
- cost too much
- too disorganized
- lacked focus (conceptually, technically, etc)
- involved the usual academic suspects (and thus a yawner)
To consider it as a pure contemporary art event is completely incorrect, as new media and electronic art were the focus from the beginning and thus bring out the “usual suspects” and art that is technologically determined. I think the organizers need to be honest about this: it is what it is.
I’m glad that it happened, but think that smaller more local events is much better now for actually answering questions.
The best question from the event last night came from a young student with nice surfer curly blonde hair. He asked, “So, did you all ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS?” No one replied to him and sat there with this nervous silence!!!! TOTALLY AMAZING!
I realized then and there that this last ISEA represented something akin to the United States: too big and too much suffices only a small audience. I really think it will mark a turning point in productivity and scale of future events.
The SFAI D+T Salon and CC Salon are much better types of events for bringing out new people, costing virtually nothing, encouraging a diverse discourse, and localizing content with small local events! I would much rather have a monthly event with rotating topics and people than one big huge event that answers and conquers all - how about you?
